Some Barnet council workers will strike today, over a dispute about the outsourcing of council services. The council is looking at more affordable ways to deliver services including for libraries, street cleaning and school meals.

Barnet Unison claims more than 80% of staff could end up working for a different employer under the changes. Today's strike is part of 6 weeks worth of action.

Advertisement

Docklands Light Railway workers are to be balloted over strike action due to disputes over pay and conditions. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union will vote in the coming weeks, with a result expected on May 12.

There are two separate disputes involving this year's pay deal for directly employed staff and another row over wages for employees at the facilities company Interserve.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "Our reps are in no doubt that we need to send a clear message to management that staff are prepared to fight to demand decent rewards and recognition, a safe working environment, decent working conditions and will not be forced into accepting inferior pay arrangements."

Bin lorry drivers in Barking and Dagenham have gone on strike for two days in protest at a £1,000 pay cut.

Ninety per cent of GMB union members employed as bin lorry drivers in the borough turned out to vote in the industrial action ballot.

Keith Williams, GMB Senior Organiser said, "There is clearly something wrong when Barking and Dagenham council is cutting the pay of front-line service workers and increasing the wage bill with the introduction of new high level posts, and at the same time compromising health and safety.

There is no doubt at all that residents need a well-functioning refuse/cleansing service but there is a question as to whether residents will benefit from any of these expensive new jobs."

Members of the Unite union who are employed by Bromley council have begun a strike over what they call 'mass privatisation'. They have accused the council of wanting 'to privatise everything it does not have a legal duty to provide directly'. But the council says it needs to make £50 million in savings over four years from a net budget of around £200 million.

This, according to Unite, has led to a reduced workforce of directly employed staff; from 3,000 to 300.

Of those who voted in the ballot, eighty seven per cent opted for strike action. Disruption will continue into the 8th of April, with services affected including libraries and parks.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed it will provide military drivers to support London's ambulance service during a strike by NHS staff. The Unison union says its members will walk out for four hours on Monday and ambulance staff will be asked to refuse overtime work from Tuesday to Friday.

We can confirm that the Ministry of Defence is providing support to the Department of Health during the 13 October industrial action by some trade unions. This assistance involves the provision of military drivers to support the London and the North West Ambulance Services.